Framing for wall openings



I. A. BAUM Aug. 26, 1930.

FRAMING FOR WALL OPENINGS 2 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Sept. 12. I 1927 I. A. BAUM Aug. 26, 1930.

FRAMING FbR WALL OPENINGS Filed Sept. 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

Patented Aug. 26, 1930 ISAAC A. BAUM, or CHICAGO,- ILLINOIS.

. FR MI G FOR w n. OPENINGS.

Application filed September 12, 1927. Serial No. 219,095.

My invention relates to buildings and particularly to novel framing for openings in plastered walls.

Difficulty is commonly experienced in-so constructingwall openings, particularlydoor openings, that cracksin the plaster surrounding and any Warping or expansion and con-' ing the opening may be avoided. Such cracks result from either or both of two causes. First the expansion or warpingof the Wood framing members, and,'second, the concussion and strain incident to the slamming ofdoors.

I have succeeded in avoiding these difficulties by providinga unitary metallic frame adapted to be, fabricatedin the shop, the

frame being composed of channel-shaped elements, the channels being open toward the opening, together with means for rigidly and securely anchoring the unit to the floor, ceiling and walls. Within the channels of the frame I mount the usual studs and header and, preferably, anchor the studs to the floor and ceiling in the usual manner. The trim for the opening is then secured to'the woodmembers.

The result of this construction is that the door mounting and trim. are, at least to a certainextent, independent of the metal framtraction of the wood is withouteffect so far as the wall is concerned. Y

As an added element of utility, I provide plaster terminals integral with the channel members of the unit. A construction such as described provides for extreme rigidity of the frame at the opening, insures permanency of the decorations surrounding theopening, and adapts itself to economy in'cost of manufacture and installation.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a door opening constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an-enlarge d perspective View of a fragment of the construction; I I

Fig.3 is a sectional View on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4, and,

v properly positioning the same.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged side elevation of the construction shown inFig; 3 with the lath and plaster omitted. 1 1

In the drawings I "have shown a' metal frame unit consisting of the vertical members A 'and' a horizontal member B. These membersare of channel shape, comprising a web 10 andfianges 11. Preferably the flanges. 1 p I a'reextended at right angles to form plaster terminals 12, the edges of which are rebent as at 13 to form an anchoring bead. If desired, the channel and the plaster terminals may be stiffened by means of thebeads or offsets 14,15.

At intervals in the fianges 11 I punch out prongs, 16 serving as means forattachment for metal lath, indicated at 17 in Fig. 3. Ears or wings 18 are struck out from the web 10 of the channel and project re'arwardly in line with the flanges 11. These constitute means for laterally: positioning and holding the wall elementssu'c-h BS1116 tile 19. The vertical and horizontal members A andB are permanentlyjoinedat their intersections by means of angle plates 20. The frame unit described is intended to lie-securely anchored f:

to the floor by means of angles 21 and suitable bolts, nails or screws. At the top I provide a permanent rigid holding device which maycomprise'a=- tubular member 22 securely riveted to the web of the vertical channel. A seat 23 is secured tothe ceiling and a screw 2d engaging the tubular member and the seat provides for. the applicationof great force t'ending to securely position the unit.

Before the metal unit is laced in position, 2'

the wood members such as studs 25 and header- 26, are placed in position and loosely held while the frame is beingaccurately and permanently located. The Wood framejmembers are positioned and anchored in-the usual manner: The cutting out of the ears o'r'wing's ,18 from the back of the channels provides space foray-edging the wood meinbersfor 'After the placing of the tile, the metal lath may be applied and held by means of the tongues 16. The plaster is'then applied, the plaster terminal 12 serving to define the thickness and to provide a permanent finish Without theuse of interior trim.' After the operations described have been carried out,

the door jamb 27 is put in place and securely nailed to the studs 25 by means of the nails 25 .The usual Wedges not shown will be utilized for positioning the jamb relative to the stud. Molding 28 of any desired contour is then nailed to the j amb closing the Wedging space 29 and acting as a brace, support and cover forthe otherwise exposed face of the plaster terminal 12.

A door opening construction in the de scribed manner gives all the advantages of both a metal and wood frame. It furnishes the rigidity of a metal frame and the simplicity of and adaptability of a 'wood frame.

IVhere the improvement is applied to an exterior wall, adapted to be stuccoed, the

- plaster terminal is provided on both flanges ceilin of the channels; inother forms of exterior walls, the plaster terminalmay be; provided only on the interior;

Obviously the construction is capable of considerable.modification and I do not wish to be limited except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A unitary frame for a wall opening comprising joined channels with the channels open toward the opening, ears struck out and projectingrearward in line with the 'flanges of the channel and adapted to act as lateral supports for a wall, and flanges formed on said channels acting as plaster terminals.

2. In combination, a metal frame unit consisting of vertical and horizontal members joined at their intersections, means for'permanently connecting the frame elements to floor and ceiling, wood elements associated with said frame elements and connected to floor and ceiling independently of the means for connecting the frame elements to floor and and trim secured to the wood ele ments, whereby the metal frame memberis permanently mounted in the wall independent of the wood elements.

3. In combination, a metal frame unit,

means for firmly connecting the frame to the floor and ceiling, and continuous wood studs extending between the floor and ceiling, and

positioned within the frame elements and adapted to receive wood trim and to support the same independently of the metal frame.

4. In combination, a metal frame consisting of side and head frame members joined at their intersections and of channel shape in cross section, wood studs seated within the channel side frames and extendingbetween the floor and ceiling, and trim secured to the studs.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

ISAAC A. BAUM. 

